'I've looked at this again' - Ex-FIFA ref re-analyses viral Grimsby v Crawley footage

Grimsby Town's opening goal against Crawley Town went viral on social media for all the wrong reasons after the first League Two matchweek.

David Artell's side claimed an opening-day 3-0 win on Saturday, 2 August, with goals coming from Jaze Kabia, Cameron McJannet, and Evan Khouri in a victory which catapulted them to the top of the table.

It was a routine win for the Mariners, who narrowly missed out on a promotion qualification spot last season, finishing two points behind seventh-place Chesterfield after losing to Wimbledon on the final day.

Their opponents, Crawley, on the other hand, were relegated from League One during the 2024/25 season, finishing 21st despite a run of four games without defeat to end the campaign.

Despite 24 teams all playing on Saturday, it was a clip from the game between Grimsby and Crawley that began doing the rounds on social media just 10 minutes into the match.

Liverpool loanee Harvey Davies was punished by referee Scott Jackson for taking out Kieran Green in the penalty area, though fans on both sides were certain that it was a clear claim from the goalkeeper.

The shot-stopper was not awarded any further punishment, other than the spot-kick from 12 yards against him, and fans were quick to call out the officiating standards in League Two.

Grimsby Town wrongfully awarded penalty

This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the incident, the former referee said: “It’s an interesting one, I've looked at this again. The goalkeeper, as far as I’m concerned, has every right to go for the ball. He’s got first hands on the ball; he’s touched it. 

“What the referee has to decide is if his actions are careless or reckless. I think this is a harsh penalty kick. I’d have given him the benefit of the doubt. If you award a penalty kick, you must be 100 per cent sure.

"There appears to be doubt from the referee because the goalkeeper makes first contact with the ball. He made a genuine attempt to play the ball, and not the man. It’s a harsh penalty kick; it’s not one that I would have expected to be awarded.”